In the Kuril Islands, part of the Sakhalin region, gasoline sales have been completely halted due to a severe fuel crisis. Local authorities report that all remaining fuel has been reserved for use by special vehicles, and a new shipment is expected to arrive soon. However, the exact date for the resumption of sales to the public is currently unknown.
This is reported by Finway
Gasoline Shortage Spreads to New Regions
The fuel issues in the Kurils began back in August when authorities limited sales to 10 liters per person. A similar situation is observed in Crimea and Transbaikal. On the peninsula, A-95 has practically disappeared from free sale: at most gas stations, it can only be obtained with vouchers issued to enterprises and government institutions. Ordinary citizens have almost completely lost the ability to refuel their vehicles. In Transbaikal, particularly in the cities of Krasnokamensk and Borzya, sales of A-95 have also been suspended, and at many gas stations, the price boards are not functioning. Notices at the entrances indicate that gasoline is available only for organizations.
“In Krasnokamensk, there is no 95 gasoline at any station. They say the supplies have run out. At the ‘Soyuz and K’ network station, there are notices that A-95 is available only for organizations. At ‘Naftamarket,’ the boards are not lit: neither in Borzya nor in Krasnokamensk. There is also a sign at the entrance stating that it’s only for organizations,” said a local resident to journalists.
Causes of the Shortage and Government Response
The main cause of the fuel shortage has been a series of strikes by Ukrainian drones on Russian oil refineries, some of which have yet to resume operations. According to experts, about 13% of refining capacity in Russia remains paralyzed, leading to a record increase in gasoline prices. In Crimea, the price of A-95 at some stations has reached 69.95 rubles per liter, which is a historical maximum for the region. This has caused panic among the population and increased demand for fuel.
The Primorsky Krai has also joined the fuel crisis: significant queues have formed at gas stations due to the gasoline shortage. Additional factors include seasonal demand increases due to tourists, reduced fuel supplies from Far Eastern refineries, and delays in railway deliveries, which sometimes reach two weeks.
The Russian government is trying to contain the crisis by banning gasoline exports, extending restrictions at least until the end of September for producers and until the end of October for other companies. Although officials present this as a measure to protect the domestic market, the fuel crisis is only worsening. According to Rosstat, gasoline prices have been rising faster than overall inflation for the third consecutive week, and the price of A-92 has exceeded the so-called “damping threshold,” leading to the cessation of budget compensations to producers.
Due to the acute fuel shortage, the Kremlin is even considering importing gasoline from Belarus. The lack of access to fuel for ordinary citizens is creating serious problems for the transportation sector, small businesses, and limits the population’s ability to use cars for work, trips to the hospital, or shopping.